Play is serious work. We work hard to make sure our kids
have the right play toys to help them learn skills that match their
age and abilities. These include hand-eye coordination games such as
the one that buzzes when you take out the funny bone incorrectly.
(I could never master that part of the Operation game.)

Like my dad often said, “Always use the right tools for the right
jobs.” That is why I find it a real puzzlement when
organizations that would never scrimp on the latest medication
management systems or non- slip flooring or even the best
nutritional food for their senior clients have activity rooms that
are filled with toy store cast-offs. So often, you will
see boxes of games that their residents haven’t seen in 50 years, if
ever (Candyland, Life, Monopoly sets with missing game pieces and
even coloring books). And we actually expect our loved ones to enjoy
and be stimulated by these offerings.

I know many wonderful and dedicated activity directors who will
reach into their own pockets to purchase memory games and puzzles to
help keep their residents’ minds active. They do so much with
so little so very often – because of how much they care about their
residents.

And now there are studies that bear out these activity directors’
efforts to make sure their residents receive the best possible and
most appropriate cognitive tools. The Cochrane Library Study titled
Cognitive Stimulation to Improve Cognitive Functioning in People
with Dementia evaluated the "effectiveness and impact of
cognitive stimulation interventions aimed at improving cognition for
people with dementia."

The review included 15 trials with a total of 718 participants in
the mild to moderate stages of dementia. Cognitive stimulation
activities included: word games, puzzles, music, and practical
activities such as baking or indoor gardening.

Among the findings:

A clear, consistent benefit on cognitive function was associated
with cognitive stimulation.

There was consistent evidence from multiple trials that cognitive
stimulation programs benefit cognition in people with mild to
moderate dementia over and above any medication effects.

Overall, participants who received cognitive stimulation also
reported improved quality of life and they were able to communicate
and interact better than previously.

So you don’t have to simply take my word for it.

A few years ago, I visited a beautiful adult day center in Texas.
Their senior clients were sitting in the activity room after lunch.
Noticing a trumpet on the bookshelf, I asked if anyone could play
it. A gentleman stood and said he could and he would love to
play. A lady sat at the upright piano and another lady stood
to sing. The big band era music that filled the room was
joyful and actually quite good. After our serenade, the center
director took me aside and said with tears in her eyes, “They have
never done that before.” Now they have music Wednesdays, and I
hear it is a swingin’ time.